The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-08-31
HER DEBT OF HONOR.


Baked besns, pumkin pies aud dough
nuts Ugh -
Miss Chessington's dainty nose was TIP
tilted to an alarming degree, as her eye
swept with disdiainful stare through the
large. CHEEKY, oId-fashioned room int
which she had just been ushered-
The open windows were hung with
white dimity curtains looped back with
male blue ribbons the bare floor wa'
scrubbed 10 snowy whiteness and dotted
here and there with soff, velvety rugs.
An old-fashioned square piano, with
spindling legs. occupied a coy nook neal
one Of the windows the room was fur
nished with suit of simple furniture
made for use rather than show. There
was an open fireplace Al one end OF the
apartment. filled now with odorous green
boughs-the season for fires being for
the present past--and over the whole
room rested an air of quaint, sweet sim
plicity, in which poet or lover OF ma
ture would instinctively rejoice.
But Clara Chessington was not poet,
and as for nature, a primrose by the
rivers brinr was nothing but a common
field flower 10 her and not to be COM
pared with the beautiful and artistic ar
tificial productions Of Madame Uinsel--
fashionable miIliner and modiste.
Miss Chessington had not come TO this
quaint New England farm house 10 study
nature.
The truth was, that nights Of dancing,
and theatre and opera, and all the rest
that 90 to make up the existence OF a
fashionable woman leader in society
had begun to tell upon the lady's delicate
physique.
She was worn out with fashionable
dissipation and 30 the wise old physi-
clan. who WAS called in 10 diagnose her
case, frankly told her. adding that she
must have rest and perfect quiet. No
trip 20 the White Mountains no sojourn
at watering place-be it ever so retired
but plain country living, in breezy
old town of which he knew, hidden away
at the foot Of the Berkshire hills, and by
the world forgotten.
In vain Clara Chessington protested.
Dr. Wise was not misnaned he was
thoroughly aware Of the exigencies of
her case, and fully determined to have
his own way. He ended by sending her
off 70 the sleepy old town of Eyerly, and
to-day she had just arrived at Mrs. Grey
son's-the lady in whose house the doc
tor had secured board FOR her
She had not gone into exile alone; Guy
Chessington, her only brother had ac-
companied her to Everly, 10 kill time,
he had explained, when questioned by
his fashionable friends. But there We're
some among the number who knew bet
ter who were able 10 read between the
lines, and felt positive that Marian Ly-
ell was at the bottom of Guy Chessing-
tons voluntary exile-Marian Lyell, the
tCliS anu bSoAt iti-itiA4E AdNtiAlc "a tAit
season.
Cold a. ice and hard-hearted as only a
professional cOquette can be and vet
Guy Chessington had fallen deeply, des-
perately in love with he; ; had vowed
that 10 gain her smiles he would sacrifice
life itself; and had conducted himself
after the most approved fashion of lovers.
But all in VAIN. She listened in polite
silence that. at least, woman is bound
10 do when man laws at her feet his
life, his hopes, his entire future. But
when she had listened until she was tir-
ed To his rhapsodies, she gazed full into
his face and her voice took on its coolest
infection, as she quietly but firmly gave
him his congo.
or course Guy was quite broken-heart-
ed. He raved and tore, and deported
himself like madman, ending with a
sudden rash resolution 10 accompany his
sister 10 Everly Clara was devoutly
thankful for her brothers society, for the
summer stretched out before her-long,
hot, and unbearably dull. She filed two
trunks with the cast-of finery of last
summer good enough for EverIy, she de-
clared), and they stood now for the first
time in Mrs. Greyson's best room"
Baked beans, pumpkin pies and
doughnuts = repeated Guy, wonderingly.
Surely, Clara this fine old place should
moi call up such associations"
Fine old place - she cried scornfully.
Well, yes, it is old enough Away back
before the flood, should imagine. And
then she turned abruptly as she became
conscious of the entrance of stranger
a tall, dignified woman of middle age
attired in plain black lawn dress, with a
dainty white apron.
am Mn. Gneyson," the woman be-
gan by way of introduction. hope,
Miss Chessington. you will be reconciled
10 our homely surroundings sufficiently
to remain with us while.
Clara forced herself to reply, introduc-
ed her brother, and sank into low will
low rocker, quite overcome with fatigue
She looked 50 pale and exhausted that
Mns. Greyson few to bring her glass of
wine Real Old port, ii was, too and a
sip Of il brought tingeof color to Clara
pale cheeks. And as they sat there, all
of "a sudden voice came floating through
the open door-a sweet, fesh contralto
singing sweetly.
Guy Chessington glanced into his sis
ter's face with wondering surprise, for
the song was a selection from the opera
Of " Lucia " and ex4nisitely rendered in
Italian. Miss Greyson arose and closed
the door.
Lefty is always singing" she observ-
ed apologetically. will not allow her
TO transgress again, for | know it must
be trial to weak nerves like yours.
Miss Chessington. She does not know
of Your arrival, or She would not
Mamma, mammal cried gay voice
as the song suddenly broke OFF in the
middle, and the singer peered into the
next room in quest Of the lady, where
are youg | want TO ask you when are
our boAniers TO arrive? For | intend go
ing over to Cousin Bertha's to stay while
they are here"
Lefty ?"
Mrs. Greyson's face was crimson. but of
course Lefty could not see il.